Pierre Terjanian, chief of curatorial affairs and conservation, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
In Renaissance Europe, armor commonly ranked among one’s most valuable possessions. Symptomatically, King Philip II of Spain prescribed in his last will and testament that his tapestries and armors would henceforth belong to the Spanish crown. Unlike other works of art such as paintings, they were never to be sold, even to pay off debts. Such high regard for armor is typical of the way in which most Renaissance rulers and noblemen thought of their personal armors and those of their ancestors. This lecture provides an overview of the significance of armor in Renaissance Europe and the distinct contexts in which it was worn and admired.
Evening lectures by distinguished guest speakers address a range of topics relating to the appreciation and interpretation of art. They are free and open to the public.
